With the objective of understanding agricultural system histories, trajectories, crops, landscapes, and heritage, a study was conducted in selected kebeles (lower level adminstration) of Oromiya and Amhara Regional States in central Ethiopia.
Paper long abstract
Four kebeles were covered in the study. These include; Menagesha kolobo kebele, Wochecha kebele at a locality called Huluko Park in Oromiya Regional State, the Village of Shengo, in Wof Washa Kebele, Tarma Ber Woreda and Semen Shewa zone, Mahal Wonz kebele, Ankeber Woreda, in North Shewa zone of Amhara Regional State. Individual and group interviews were conducted selecting experienced farmers, gender inclusive, in the study areas. Some findings include that hoe and Oxen plough agriculture are still used as methods of tilling the land with little change since pre-historic times. Implements used for cultivation and processing of crops as well as for cooking are locally made and traditional. Crop varieties have changed over the last 30 years in the study areas. Traditional manures are progressively being replaced by modern fertilizers. Climate change, deforestation and erosion have also impacted crop cultivation in the regions.
Key words:- crops, landscapes, traditional agriculture, crop processing, Ethiopia